Bathing chair



May 29, 1962 E. N. SCHUSTER 3,036,316

BATI-IING CHAIR Filed March 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .mmn I m I 22 I J2 2o 2a INVENTOR.

:1? VM 4/. SCI/0875A A Trek/Var:

May 29, 1962 E. N. SCHUSTER 3,036,316

BATHING CHAIR Filed March 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

EAV/N /V. 6 /17/572? A TTOR/VEYS 3,036,316 BATHING CHAIR Ervin N.Schuster, Columbus Township, St. Clair County, Mich. (2133 Werner Road,Richmond, Mich.) Filed Mar. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 98,583 12 Claims. (Cl.9-347) This invention relates to an aquatic amusement device, and moreparticularly to an improved bathing chair for use with an inflatabletubular body to safely and comfortably support a person in the water.

An object of the present invention is to provide animproved bathingchair which is economical to manufacture and convenient, durable andsafe in use.

Another object is to provide an improved bathing chair of the abovecharacter which is adjustable to various sizes of inflatable tubularbodies.

A further object is to provide an improved bathing chair of the abovecharacter which is detachable from the inflatable tubular body and whenso detached is collapsible into an easily carried compact arrangement.

Still another object is to provide an improved bathing chain adapted forquick conversion to use as a beach chair.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bathing chair of the presentinvention suspended from an inflated inner tube having a portion thereofbroken away to illustrate the chair.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the bathing chair sus pended from theinner tube.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the seat and suspensionstructure of the bathing chair.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of one corner of the bathingseat and suspension structure therefor, with a portion of the seatbroken away to illustrate details.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bathing chair illustrating theadjustability thereof to two different sizes of inner tubes.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the bathing chair turned upsidedown with the suspension arms pivoted to gether into the transport andstorage position of the chair.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bathing chair of the invention is shownsuspended from an annular inflated tubular body 10 such as an inner tubeof an automobile tire. The bathing chair comprises a seat 12 supportedbelow the center of inner tube 10 by three identical suspension arms 14,16 and 18. The upper portion of each arm 14, 16, 18 is curved into aloop 20 designed to fit around the largest diameter inner tubecustomarily used in water sports. The upper ends of the arms in loops 20are spaced from an intermediate straight portion of the arms to providea gap 22 which is just large enough to permit passage therethrough ofthe inner tube when it is deflated, thereby insuring that the bathingchair cannot become detached from the inner tube so long as the same isinflated.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower end of each,

arm 14, 16, 18 is bent inwardly in the plane defined by the straightportion and loop thereof so as to extend under atent seat 12. The bottomends of arms 14, 16, 18 pass through threadably received on the lowerend of bolt 28. I

, 10 the plate and seat being clamped together by a wing nutlii} 7 iceAs best seen in FIG. 2, plate 24 is preferably a metal stamping in theshape of an equilateral triangle approximately half the size of seat 12.The seat is preferably made from softer material such as wood or plasticwhich is cut generally in the shape of an equilateral triangle havingconvex corners with concave sides therebetween to form a symmetricalcontour for comfortably supporting a bather in any of three sittingpositions thereon. The undersurface of seat 12 is provided with threeradial grooves 32, 34- and 36 which extend inwardly from the corners ofthe seat to a point opposite the bent down corners 23 of plate 24 (FIG.4). Grooves 32, 34 and 36 respectively receive the inwardly bentportions ef arms 14, 16 and 18 when the chair is suspended from innertube 10 and serve to hold the arms in radially extending positions atdegree spaced intervals around the seat. Ordinarily, when a full sizedinner tube is used, the friction of the loops 20 of the arms issufiicient to maintain the arms equally spaced apart. However, thegrooves become very helpful when a smaller diameter tube is used whichdoes not completely fill the loops. Thus, regardless of the size of thetube, there is no danger of the stability of the seat being endangeredby a pair of the arms working closer together around the inner tube.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bathing chair of the present invention is shownin solid lines suspended from inner tube .10, and is shown in brokenlines suspended from a larger inner tube '38. It will be seen that thepivotal connection of suspension arms 14, 16, 18- from metal plate 24allows the arms to pivot in a vertical plane from a substantiallyupright position for smaller diameter inner tubes to an outwardlyinclined position for large diameter inner tubes, the elevation of seat12 beneath tube 10 being determined accordingly. It is to be understoodthat the supporting arms 14, 16, 18 are preferably constructed of A inchdiameter ductile metal rods or other suitable material so that the shapeof the arms and loops 20 thereof does not change in use. The weight ofplate 24 and suspension arms 14, 16, 18 is sufficient to offset thebuoyancy of wooden seat 12 so that the bathing chair will hang fullysuspended below the inner tube when it is in the water with no tendencyto rise upwardly or become tangled in the legs of the person using thedevice.

In order to install the bathing chair on an inner tube, the suspensionarms 14, 16 and 18 are first pivoted to the position of FIG. 1 withplate .24 placed on the ground or other supporting surface. Inner tube10 in a partially or preferably completely deflated condition is thenpulled through the gap 22 of each loop 20 until the tube passes throughall the loops so as to encircle the chair. The tube is then inflated sothat it completely fills each loop 20. A person using the chair in thewater enters the inner tube from above and inserts his legs through thespace between the seat and the inner tube so that the person is seatedon seat 12 with one of the arms between his legs. The chair can beentered and used in "any of three positions due to the symmetricaltriangular contour of seat 12 and the equal 120 spacing of suspensionarms 14, 16 and 18 relative thereto. The three-arm suspension and theposition of seat 12 spaced well below the bottom of the inner tubecontribute to the stability of the bathing chair in the water.

To transport the bathing chair when not in use, inner tube 10 is firstdeflated and then removed from the loops 20. Then the bathing chair isturned upside down as in FIG. 7 and the arms pivoted upwardly invertical, radial planes until loops 20 are almost together. Then, due tothe universal pivotal connection of the arms with plate 24, the arms maybe individually rotated about vertical axes so that, for example, arms14 and 18 are disposed in substantially parallel planes in side-by-siderelation with loop 20 of arm 16 therebetween. The loops 2%] thus nesttion to the buoyant body.

together in side-by-side compact relationship to form a circular handlefor carrying the bathing chair. The transport arrangement of the arms isalso advantageous for storing the bathing chair since it occupiesconsiderably less space when folded in this arrangement.

The bathing chair may also be used as a beach stool. This may beaccomplished Without the use of an inner tube by merely turning thebathing chair right side up from the folded storage position thereofindicated in FIG. 7. The loops 20 while still folded together are thenburied in the sand of the beach and hence cannot spread apart under theweight of the person sitting on the seat. In locations where it is notpossible or convenient to so anchor the loops to form a one-leggedstool, the bathing chair may be converted to a three-legged stool byconnecting it to an inflated tube as in FIG. 1, but with it turnedupside down (FIG. 2 then becoming a top plan view) so that the inner tubis against the ground. It is a simple matter to then unbolt seat 12 andrebolt it to the other, and now upper, side of plate 24. In thisarrangement the inner tube keeps the leg-arms 14, 16, 18 from spreadingfurther apart under the weight of a person sitting on seat 12.

In addition to the above features, the bathing chair is simple toconstruct since only seven pieces including the two-piece fastener arerequired, three of these pieces comprising the suspension arms beingidentical'in shape and thus economical to manufacture. The use of thetriangular metal linkage plate 24 between the bottom hooked ends 26 ofthe suspension arms provides a strong support; ing structure for seats12 made of various materials, such as plastic or soft rubber, in lieu ofthe illustrative wooden symmetrical contour seat disclosed herein. Thepivotal connection of the arms to the seat structure, in addition toproviding collapsibility, makes it possible to fit various sizes ofinner tubes so that persons of all heights and ages can be supplied bymanufacturing only an infant model and an adult model of the bathingchair.

I claim:

l. A bathing chair for use with a buoyant body, said bathing chaircomprising a rigid plate, a rigid seat member adapted to be mountedthereon and extending beyond the periphery of said plate to provide amarginal portion therearound, and a plurality of suspension memberscomprising metal rods pivotally connected to said rigid plate at spacedintervals relative to one another around the periphery of said'rigidplate, said suspension members each 7 having a portion extendingadjacent saidmarginal portion of said seat member and being bentaroundthe outer edge thereof so as to extend upwardly therefrom forconnec- 2. A bathing chair for use withfa buoyant body, said bathingchair comprising a rigid plate, a. seat member adapted to be removablymounted on said plate and a plurality of suspension members connected tosaid rigid tion'therearound, said seat member having grooves in platesuch that said seat member may be mounted on either side of said platewithout requiring connection of said seat member to said suspensionmembers, said suspension members extending from said plate at spacedintervals relative to one another around the periphery of said s'e'atmember for receiving the legs of 'abather therebetween, Said suspensionmembers each having a portion spaced from'said connection withsaid'plate adapted to 'be conform said buoyant body to permit universalmovement seat means adapted to support a bather in a sitting positionthereon, said seat means including a triangular metal plate having ahole in each of the corners thereof, said suspension arms each havinglower ends with one of said lower ends received through each of saidholes, said lower ends being hook shaped to provide a universal pivotalconnection thereof to said plate whereby said plate provides a rigidinterconnection between said suspension members so that said seat meansis suspendable below and centrally of the annular body to provide astable bathing chair which can be entered and used in any of threepositions and so that said members are collapsible when removed fromsaid buoyant body.

4. A bathing chair for use with an annular buoyant body, said bathingchair including three self-supporting suspension arms each having anupper end in the formof a parted loop adapted to substantially encirclethe buoyant body for removably connecting the arms thereto substantiallyat 120 degree intervals relative to one another around the periphery ofthe body, and seat means adapted to support a bather in a sittingposit-ion thereon and including a rigid triangular metal supportingplate, said suspension arms each having a lower end pivotally connectedto a corner of said plate whereby the lower ends of said arms areinterconnected in spaced relation with one another by said plate toreceive a bather therebetween when said seat means is suspended belowand centrally of the annular body to provide a stable bathing chairwhich can be entered and used in any of three positions, said loopedupper ends of said suspension arms providing'a transport handle whensaid arms are detached from the buoyant body and pivoted from above saidplate to the underside thereof and into side-by-side relation.

5. A bathing chair for use with an annular buoyant body, said bathingchair including three suspension arms each having upper ends adapted tobe connected to the anular body substantially at 120 degree intervalsrelative to one another around the perimeter of the body, and seat meansadapted to support a bather in a sitting position thereon, said seatmeans including a triangular metal plate having corners bent downwardlyat an angle from the side of said plate facing the annular buoyant body,said suspension members each having lower ends with one lower end beingpivotally connected to each of the corners of said plate to therebyrigidly inter-connect seat member, adapted to he removably mounted onsaid facing side of said plate and extending radially beyond theperiphery of said plate to provide a marginal porthe surface of saidmarginal portion thereof disposed ad- ;jacent said corners'of said plateadapted to respectively receive a portion of one of said suspensionmembers to thereby maintain-said suspension arms spaced at saidintervals relative to one another when said bathing chair is suspendedfrom the buoyant body, said suspension arms being pivotable out of saidgrooves when detached 7, in a compact arrangement for transporting andstoring the chair.

neoted to the buoyant body whereby said seat means is r 'suspend-ablyspaced below the'bu'oyant body to' provide a bathingrchair for usein'the waten said plate and said suspension members being sufficientlyrigid so that whenv invertdwith said plate spaced above said buoyantbody a chair is thereby provided "having sufficient strength fo'r useout of the water; r 1

'3. A bathing chair forusewith ani annular; buoyantf; 1 body,saidbathing chair includingf'three suspension arms-eachhavingupper'en'ds adapted to be connected to' the annular body substantially at 120 degree intervals relative to one another around theperimeter of the ,body,;;and

6. A bathing chair adapted for suspension beneath a buoyant'bo'dy,1saidbathing chair comprising a seat having a face adapted to support'abather in a sitting position and a' plurality of self-supportingsuspension mem- 'bers each articulately connected to said seat 'so thatsaid, i members'extend therefrom at angularly spacedinte-rvals relativeto one-another around the periphery of said seat for receiving the legsof a bather therebetween, said mem' bers each having a portion spacedfrom said articulate connection 'with said seat adapted to beremovably'con-- nected to the buoyant body, said articulate connectionsof saidtmembers to said seat being adapted to'permit each of saidmemberstolpivot'freely in adirection radiallyof the 7. The combination setforth in claim 6 wherein said portion of said members adapted forremovable connection to the buoyant 'body comprises a parted loopadapted to substantially encircle the buoyant body, said looped portionsof said suspension members providing a transport handle when saidmembers are nested together in said storage position thereof.

8. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said suspension membersare pivot-ably connected to said plate to provide a bathing chairadjustable to fit various sizes of buoyant bodies.

9. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said suspension membersare pivotably connected to said plate for universal movement relativethereto when detached from the buoyant body whereby said suspensionmembers are foldable together in side-by-side relation to provide acompact arrangement thereof for transporting and storing the bathingchair.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said seat member extendsbeyond the periphery of said plate to provide a marginal portion'therearound for limiting said pivotal movement of said suspensionmembers in planes transverse to said plate.

11. The combination recited in claim 10 wherein said marginal portion ofsaid seat member has grooves therein each adapted to receive one of saidsuspension members in a position thereof adjacent said seat member tothereby maintain the spacing between said suspension members in thesuspended position of said bathing chair below the buoyant body, saidsuspension members being pivotable out of said grooves when detachedfrom the buoyant body to permit said universal movement thereof forfolding said members together.

12. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said seat means includesan equilateral triangular seat re movably mounted on said plate andhaving convex corners overlapping said plate and concave sidesintermediate said corners, said lower ends of said arms being connectedto said plate adjacent said corners of said seat to provide a three-wayseat adapted to conform to the legs of a person sitting thereon in anyof the three positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,562,276 Assenzio Nov. 17, 1925 2,051,281 Webber Aug. 18, 19362,435,497 Hajduk Feb. 3, 1948 2,581,545 Long Ian. 8, 1952

